Plaquette - .934 silver

A spectacular centerpiece of museum-worthy allure: from this specific square presentation plateau by the famous Delft master Dirk van de Goorberg, worldwide only two other examples are known, one of which is a larger sister specimen housed in the permanent collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Art-historical Context & Extreme Rarity
Dirk van de Goorberg (admitted to the guild in 1747) was an absolute authority within Delft silversmithing, where he also served as an official. Although his oeuvre is well documented in the specialist literature (such as in Dutch Silver by J.W. Fredericks), platters and cabarets are almost entirely absent from standard catalogs.

This particular example comes from his early, most sought-after artistic period (the heyday of Dutch Rococo). The status of this specific design is underscored by the fact that, besides this piece, only two other platters by his hand are known, including the larger specimen in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. Van de Goorberg objects have also in the past been part of the prestigious collection of A.C.R. Dreesmann.

Description and Style
This square plateau sits on four elegantly cast feet and is executed in a rich Louis XV style (Rococo). The rim is characteristically fluted and accented with the flowing scroll- and flame-motifs that are signature to van de Goorberg. The early dating around 1766 is unequivocally confirmed by the early maker’s mark, which at this period was still simply stamped as 'DG', without the colon that appears on his later works.

Specifications & Hallmarks
The object is provided with a complete, immaculate, authentic set of Delft guild marks:

City mark: The Delft coat of arms (the shield with the stripe/ladder).
Master mark: DG (the early hallmark of Dirk van de Goorberg, without colon).
Date letter: n (1766).
Assay mark: Holland Lion Passant (First grade silver, .934).

Details:

Dimensions: 24 x 24 cm.
Weight: 465 grams.
Dating: 1766.
Provenance: Delft, Netherlands.